By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - George W. Bush has selected New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman to head
the Environmental Protection Agency, choosing a passionate outdoorswoman to safeguard the
nation's land, air and water, officials said.

In his presidential campaign, Bush faced criticism from Democrats and some
conservationists for his stewardship of the environment in Texas, where he had been
governor since 1995 until his resignation Thursday. Environmentalists argued he didn't
fight pollution aggressively enough; During his second term, Houston became the nation's
smoggiest city. Indeed, the EPA itself intends to review clean-air plans the state was
forced to submit earlier this month because of persistent smog.

Bush contended the state's air improved on his watch, and said he was
behind major air-quality improvement initiatives.

Whitman, 54 and a Republican, championed open-space preservation in New
Jersey and refused to abandon an unpopular auto emissions test designed to reduce air
pollution.

Critics said that to attract businesses, she compromised water pollution
protections and cut spending for state offices that prosecute environmental abuses by
industry.

Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope said Whitman has a "mixed
record on the environment, but on balance we believe the Sierra Club could work with
her."

As head of an agency created by President Nixon 30 years ago, Whitman
would have to decide whether to pursue Clinton administration environmental initiatives.

For instance, the EPA currently is seeking substantial new pollution
controls on coal-fired power plants in the Midwest that pollute the Northeast. She has
supported the EPA position.

Of great importance to the water industry, Gov. Whitman has been a
national leader in advocating and simplifying privatization of water systems. New Jersey,
in the Whitman administration has had the most aggressive program of legislative review
and changes to permit the growth of contract operations and concession fee payments.

Further, many US private firms have headquarters in New Jersey, including
American Water Works, United Water and Ogden Water with others such as U.S. Water, founded
in New Jersey, and OMI having large staff facilities and projects in New Jersey.